Anna Wu back in the private sector - with Li Ka-shing

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Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing has appointed former Equal Opportunities Commission chief Anna Wu Hung-yuk as an adviser to Shantou University's law faculty.

The news came as Ms Wu was also named an independent non-executive director of Tom.com, Mr Li's media flagship.

Ms Wu, who was often criticised by pro-Beijing politicians during her outspoken term as EOC chairwoman, yesterday confirmed she had accepted the full-time university posting.

Shantou University was founded by Mr Li in the early 1980s and the Li Ka Shing Foundation has since donated more than HK$2 billion to it.

Ms Wu, a lawyer by training and experience prior to her work with the EOC, will be focusing on the strategic development and expansion of the law programme for the university.

Asked if tensions with the Hong Kong government from her previous job might hamper her work with mainland officials, Ms Wu denied there would be any such impediment to her work.

'I took on the job because of its significance in the development of the legal profession and legal studies on the mainland. I believe I don't have any differences with officials as my background as a lawyer and my motivation to create change corresponds with the needs and development of China,' she said.

'It will be a very challenging job and a very purposeful appointment and I hope to be able to make a real contribution.'

She said she would work on restructuring the way law courses were taught at the university by making them more interactive and relevant to the rapid economic changes on the mainland.

'There will be a need in southern China for alternative forms of dispute and conflict resolution such as arbitration, mediation and conciliation in the commercial, social and family arenas as the area goes through rapid change in the coming years,' she said.

'The university needs to advance itself in this area. Hong Kong has always been a centre for arbitration and will assist in promoting the use of such methods.'